Brasov

Brasov

Brasov is one of the main tourist destinations for foreigner tourists and it is very easy to understand why.Its medieval atmosphere, with old and stunning buildings, its cobblestone streets, its quiet and hidden alleys are among the most important reasons that make Brasov so desirable.

The Council Square (Piata Sfatului) of Brasov is a great place to relax while admiring the surrounding buildings and the passers-by. At first it was just a market place, later becoming the center of the medieval town. The building of the former Town Hall is the main attraction of the square. Built in 1420 by the Furriers Guild, it is the oldest building in Brasov and has been used as a watch tower, as the Town Hall, and even as a prison.

The main tourist attraction of Brasov is by far the Black Church, which practically outlines the history of the town. Built in about 100 years and at the request of the priest Thomas Sander, the Black Church is the most impressive Gothic religious building in the city. Built first as a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Black Church became the first Evangelical site in Transylvania. The church was given its present name in 1689 when a great fire destroyed much of the town, killing some 300 inhabitants.

Brasov was once protected by a powerful wall which encircled the entire medieval citadel. The most famous towers are the Black and the White Towers. The Graft Bastion makes the connection to the White Tower. All these towers were under the surveillance of different Guilds. The Black and White Towers, today part of the History Museum, offer a nice view over the old town. Right below, one can see the Alley Behind the Walls, a quiet and green alley in summertime. The beautiful Catherine’s Gate is the only original gate to remain from medieval times. Next to it one can see the Wallachian Gate, built in the 18th century.

Don’t miss one of the most peculiar streets of Brasov. Known as the Rope-makers Street, this narrow alley was cut in order to ease the traffic of the firefighters in case of emergencies. Today it is one of the most photographed attractions of Brasov.

Also very near to Brasov are The Bran Castle (Bran is less than 30 km far from Brasov) and The Rasnov Fortress (only 17 km from Brasov).

Sports and nature

As it is located in a mountain area, Brasov is perfect for active travelers. The old town is surrounded by Mount Tâmpa, and instead of taking the cable car, you could hike all the way to the top – it shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes to an hour. If you think it’s too much, you could take the cable car up and then walk down. From Bra?ov you can also enjoy mountain biking as there are several suitable roads and trails. And you could go toward the impressive Solomon’s Rocks and then all the way to the famous mountain resort of Poiana Brasov.

In the new part of Brasov you can find the Adventure Park. This would be a perfect destination especially for the families with children. Climb up in the trees and pretend you are Tarzan.

In summertime, starting June 1st, you can relax in a swimming pool at the Aqua Park. As for the winter, there is no doubt the Poiana Brasov, the most important ski destination in Romania, is the main attraction.

Culture and history

Although a Romanian population had been living there for a long time, the history of the city starts in the 13th century when Andrew II of Hungary gave the Teutonic Knights the right to colonize the area.

After some disagreements with the Hungarian king, the knights were forced to leave and their place was taken by German colonists.

The year 1234 is given as the date of the city’s founding, and its first name was Corona, followed by Brassó (Hungarian) and Kronstadt (German). In the centuries that followed, Brasov became an important trade center, being located on an important route between west and east and also because of its trade with the provinces of Wallachia and Moldavia. This gave them the power to build one of the largest citadels in all of Transylvania.

The year 1689 marks the great fire that destroyed a large part of the medieval citadel, including the famous Black Church, and for years the town remained in ruins.

The early 20th century brought the Great War, which for Brasov ultimately meant the unification of Romania. Unfortunately, WWII brought about the end of German culture in Transylvania as the German minority was either negatively affected by the horrors of war or left the country during the Communist era. Brasov today is an important economical, industrial and tourist center of Romania.